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Magnetoresistance effect element, magnetic head and magnetic reproducing system

a technology of magnetic head and effect element, which is applied in the field of magnetic head and magnetic reproducing system, can solve the problems of low electric resistance, low resistance, and inconvenient material selection of artificial lattice film, and achieve the effect of suppressing the influence of magnetic field

Inactive Publication Date: 2005-07-05
KK TOSHIBA
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides a magnetoresistance effect element that can accurately define the active region of an MR film in a CPP type MR element and effectively suppress the influence of magnetic field from current in an electrode. The element includes a magnetization fixed layer and a magnetization free layer with a non-magnetic intermediate layer. The non-magnetic intermediate layer has a smaller film area than the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization free layer, and a sense current detects the variation of resistance in the element. The invention also provides a magnetoresistance effect element with a pillar electrode portion and a feed portion extending parallel to the principal plane of the element. A magnetic shield can also be added to the element for further protection.

Problems solved by technology

However, since magnetization is saturated in the artificial lattice film, a required magnetic field is high therein, so that the artificial lattice film is not suitable for the material of a film for an MR head.
However, since the rate of change in magnetic resistance of elements which have been already put to practical use is only about 20% at the maximum, it is required to improve the rate of change in magnetic resistance.
However, if a sense current is caused to flow in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the MR film, there is a problem in that the electric resistance is very small, so that the output decreases.
However, in the method for decreasing the area itself of the MR film, it is limited to cause the MR film to be a single magnetic domain.
The above described problems are not only caused in the planar type heads, but the problems are also commonly caused in most of yoke type heads or heads having other structures.
For example, the same problems are caused in the “shielded” heads.

Method used

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  • Magnetoresistance effect element, magnetic head and magnetic reproducing system
  • Magnetoresistance effect element, magnetic head and magnetic reproducing system
  • Magnetoresistance effect element, magnetic head and magnetic reproducing system

Examples

Experimental program
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Effect test

first embodiment

[0081]First, as the first embodiment of the present invention, the basic construction for restricting a current applying region to an MR film will be described below.

[0082]FIG. 1 is a conceptual drawing showing the construction of a principal part of a magnetoresistance effect element in this embodiment. That is, FIG. 1(a) is its sectional view, and FIG. 1(b) is its plan view. The right side in FIG. 1 corresponds to an external magnetic field approaching surface. For example, if the magnetoresistance effect element is mounted on a shielded head, the external magnetic field approaching surface is arranged so as to face a magnetic recording medium, and if the magnetoresistance effect element is mounted on a planar type head, the external magnetic field approaching surface is supported on one of magnetic yokes.

[0083]In this embodiment, an MR element 10 comprises a bottom electrode 12, a magnetoresistance effect film 13, a pillar electrode 14 and a top electrode 15 which are stacked on ...

modified example 1-1

[0087]FIG. 2 is a conceptual drawing showing a first modified example of a magnetoresistance effect element in this embodiment. That is, FIG. 2(a) is its sectional view, and FIG. 2(b) is its plan view.

[0088]As shown in FIG. 2, the magnetoresistance effect element 10A in this modified example comprises a bottom electrode 12, a pillar electrode 14, a magnetoresistance effect film 13 and a top electrode 15 which are stacked on a substrate 11 in that order. In such a magnetoresistance effect element, an active region 13A can be similarly defined.

[0089]Although the shape of the active region 13A in which the pillar electrode 14 contacts the magnetoresistance effect film 13 may be any shape, it is effectively a shape approximating to a rectangle as shown in FIG. 2(b) in order to efficiently read a magnetic field due to signal from a magnetic recording medium.

modified example 1-2

[0090]FIG. 3 is a conceptual drawing showing a second modified example of a magnetoresistance effect element in this embodiment. That is, FIG. 2(a) is its sectional view, and FIG. 2(b) is its plan view. The magnetoresistance effect element 10B in this modified example comprises a bottom electrode 12, a bottom pillar electrode 14A, a magnetoresistance effect film 13, a top pillar electrode 14B and a top electrode 15 which are stacked on a substrate 11 in that order.

[0091]FIG. 4 is a conceptual drawing showing a current path in the magnetoresistance effect element 13.

[0092]In the magnetoresistance effect elements shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a component parallel to the plane of the magnetoresistance effect film 13 is generated in a current distribution in the film as shown in FIG. 4(a), so that the element is not a complete CPP type MR element.

[0093]As compared with this, in the second modified example shown in FIG. 3, the component parallel to the plane of the magnetoresistance effect fil...

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Abstract

A magnetoresistance effect element includes a magnetization fixed layer in which the direction of magnetization is substantially fixed to one direction, a magnetization free layer in which the direction of magnetization varies in response to an external magnetic field, and a non-magnetic intermediate layer formed between the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization free layer. The magnetoresistance effect element has a resistance varying in response to a relative angle between the direction of magnetization in the magnetization fixed layer and the direction of magnetization in the magnetization free layer, the resistance being detected when a sense current is applied to the film planes of the magnetization fixed layer, the non-magnetic intermediate layer, and the magnetization free layer in a direction substantially perpendicular thereto. The film area of the non-magnetic intermediate layer is smaller than the film area of each of the magnetization fixed layer and the magnetization free layer, the magnetoresistance effect element has a single conductive part with a film area smaller than the film area of each of the magnetoresistance effect element, and the magnetoresistance effect element is configured such that the sense current flows only through the single conductive part.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Applications No. 2000-301118, filed on Sep. 29, 2000; the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]1. Field of the Invention[0003]The present invention generally relates to a magnetoresistance effect element, a magnetic head and a magnetic reproducing system. More specifically, the invention relates to a magnetoresistance effect element for causing a sense current to flow in a direction perpendicular to the plane of the element to detect an external magnetic field, a magnetic head using the same, and a magnetic reproducing system using the same.[0004]2. Description of Related Art[0005]Conventionally, the readout of magnetic information recorded in a magnetic recording medium has been carried out by a method for relatively moving a reproducing magnetic head having a coil with respect to the r...

Claims

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Application Information

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Patent Type & Authority Patents(United States)
IPC IPC(8): H01F10/00G11B5/39H01F10/32H01L43/08G11B5/00G01R33/09H10N50/10
CPCB82Y10/00B82Y25/00G01R33/093G11B5/3919G11B5/3922G11B5/398H01F10/324H01L43/08G11B5/00G11B5/3912G11B5/3929H10N50/10G11B5/39
Inventor YUASA, HIROMIYODA, HIROAKIKAMIGUCHI, YUZONAGATA, TOMOHIKO
Owner KK TOSHIBA